Solar Cogeneration Research Articles

Performance investigation of hybrid photovoltaic thermal-heat with mini-channels for application in electric vehicles

The first autonomous car was developed in the 1980s, but it wasn't until the early 2010s that the technology began to gain significant attention and investment. In 2010, Google began testing self-driving cars on public roads, and since then, many other companies have joined the race to develop fully autonomous vehicles. Hybrid PVT (Photovoltaic Thermal) heat exchangers cooled with mini-channels find application in autonomous vehicles as a solution that enables efficient cooling of the vehicle's electronics and batteries. The solution involves using photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and removing the heat produced during the process using mini-channels is removed by mini-channels. Hybrid PVT heat exchangers cooled with mini-channels can help maintain appropriate temperatures inside autonomous vehicles that generate large amounts of heat from electronic systems and sensors. The setup can improve the performance and reliability of autonomous systems, increase energy efficiency, and reduce energy demands. The experimental setup includes two parallel mini-channel systems separated by a smooth copper plate. The study aims to determine local heat-transfer coefficients, with a cooled solar cell efficiency range of 10% to 14% compared to other research. The cooled PV temperature range achieved was from 19.6 to 22.4 degrees Celsius, which is favorable for photovoltaic panels' operation under approximate light intensity for Poland's latitude. Heat-transfer from hot surfaces to cold fluids is analyzed during single-phase convection using two calculation methods: one-dimensional and numerical simulations using Simcenter STAR CCM+. Cooling photovoltaic modules is critical for the photovoltaic and autonomous vehicle systems sector, making this research significant both theoretically and practically. The research and methods presented in the article on mini-channel cooling of photovoltaic systems and autonomous vehicle systems are innovative at a global scale, and are crucial for further development of sustainable energy systems and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Investigation of Techniques for Enhancement of Efficiency of a Hybrid Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal System: Literature Review on Applications and its Advancement

Abstract: Over the most recent couple of decades, tremendous consideration is drawn towards photovoltaic–thermal systems because of their advantages over the solar thermal and PV applications. This paper intends to show different electrical and thermal aspects of photovoltaic–thermal systems and the researches in absorber design modification, development, and applications. From the previous review articles, it has been concluded that the heat energy exhausted from the PV module can be further utilized in different ways and helps in achieving better efficiency. Furthermore, the types of photovoltaic–thermal systems such as air collector, water collector, and combi system, coupling with heat pump and their application to buildings are also stated. This paper also discussed certain design aspects like modifications in the flow channel by adding fins, thin metallic sheets, rollbond absorber, and porous media and the effect of these modifications on the hybrid system’s efficiency. Further- more, the use of the latest technologies such as nano fluids, thermoelectric generators, and phase-change materials improves the overall system performance. The role of soft-computing techniques is forecasting the impact of various parameters on the photovoltaic–thermal system is also discussed.

Effect of mass flow rate on the thermo-electrical performance of hybrid PVT system with curved-groove absorber

Effect of mass flow rate on the thermo-electrical performance of hybrid PVT system with curved-groove absorber

Performance study of PVT system for cold production by adsorption in a Mediterranean climate: Foodstuffs preservation

Abstract This work presents a numerical study on the performance of a stand-alone adsorption cooling system based on the silica gel/water couple driven by hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collectors. This system is intended for the conservation of perishable agricultural products which require air-conditioned premises to preserve them. The weather conditions are those of North Africa (Algiers). Considering above, this paper aims at analyzing the PVT-Adsorption system with energy storage to guarantee a stabilized production and increase the solar coverage. TRNSYS was used to simulate the system taking into account hourly series of irradiation and ambient temperature covering one year. The performance study reveals that the DualSun PVT hybrid collectors used provide optimal annual production and that the adsorption cooling system offers more reliable production during summer. The temperature difference between the inside and outside of the cooled enclosure balances supply and demand. The loss analysis of the storage device indicates that losses depend, on the one hand, on the interior / exterior temperature difference of the storage tank with more significant values during the summer season. On the other hand, the losses also depend on the volume of the storage tank which was optimized in order to limit the heat exchange with the surroundings.

Experimental study on the performance of different photovoltaic thermal collectors with nano-technology

ABSTRACT The process of cooling the photovoltaic cell effectively leads to improving the electrical efficiency of the cell. Herein, the current experimental study employed three different nanofluids (CuO, ZnO, and TiO2) to cool the PV panel to produce a hybrid collector, also known as a photovoltaic thermal solar collector (PVT). The nanoparticle volume fraction was 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 vol%. The process of cooling the PV panel was carried out using a copper tube on the back of the PV, which was placed to cover the largest possible area on the back of the PV. Three different flow cross sections – rectangular, square, and circular – were used to compare them. This experimental study was carried out under solar radiation conditions ranging from 450 W/m2 to 750 W/m2, and the flow rates of the nanofluid were 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 L/min. The results show the electrical and thermal efficiency of the PVT system at different conditions. The electrical efficiency increased as a result of adding nanofluid compared to normal water, where the cell with CuO/nanofluids gave the highest value of electrical efficiency at 450 W/m2, equaling 11.8%, while it was equal to 11.6%, 11.5%, and 10.8% for ZnO/nanofluids, TiO2/nanofluids, and water, respectively. An increase in mass flow rate leads to increased thermal, electrical, and combined PVT efficiencies. As well. The high mass flow rate increases the heat transfer coefficients between the tube wall and flowing fluid, which in turn decreases the PV module’s temperature. Finally, the rectangular section and the CuO/nanofluids gave the best value for the electrical power, which reached 83.17 W, and the highest electrical efficiency, which reached 11.5%.

Theoretical and experimental study on the heat collection of solar dish system based on adjustable receiver

Based on the cascade utilization of solar energy at different DNI levels, the establishment of a solar dish Stirling cogeneration system is one of the effective solutions both from the current Stirling engine technology level and from the perspective of overall system efficiency optimization. In this paper, a model of solar dish concentrating and receiving based on the position adjustable receiver is proposed, which provides a theoretical basis for the application of the solar dish system in cogeneration. The accuracy and reliability of the model are verified by the multi working condition heat collection experiment, and the change rule and value range of the key parameters in the model are determined. The results show that by adjusting the value of the excess heat removal factor in the model according to a certain rule within a certain range, the calculated results of the theoretical model can be well matched with the experimental results, and the average relative error can be controlled within 10% or even 5%. However, compared with the experimental results, the theoretical model results are more volatile, especially on a shorter time scale. In addition, with the increase of heat transfer oil temperature, the excess heat removal factor shows an increasing trend, and the overall value range is 0.45–0.95. The cases below 0.5 and above 0.9 usually occur at the beginning and end of the experiment. As the experiment goes on, when the oil temperature reaches about 80–100 ℃, the value of the excess heat removal factor begins to fluctuate, which intuitively shows that the overall trend is still subject to increase with the increase of the oil temperature, but the corresponding oil temperature range starts to overlap.

Energy, economic, and environmental assessment of the integration of phase change materials and hybrid concentrated photovoltaic thermal collectors for reduced energy consumption of a school sports center

In this study, dynamic simulations of an existing school sports building located in a hot semi-arid steppe climate (BSh) were carried out to evaluate the energy, economic, and environmental performance of an inorganic phase change material (PCM) and a low-concentration photovoltaic thermal (LCPV/T) hybrid collector. For this purpose, transient thermal simulations incorporating software elements were used to model the passive and active technologies. Different scenarios applied in the building -the integration of PCM into the roof (C1), the use of the LCPV/T collector system (C2), and the simultaneous use of these technologies (C3)- were established, and their energy savings, economic feasibility, and environmental impact were obtained. The combination of the PCM with melting point of 23 °C and hybrid collectors reduced the annual building electricity up to 5.8%. C1 is the best option if the cost of the PCM23 decreases to 13% of the original price, with a SPB and IRR of 3.7 years and 27%, respectively. C3 is economically feasible if the collector price is also reduced to 80%, achieving a SPB and IRR of 12.1 years and 6.6%. Finally, the greenhouse gases prevented emissions of up to 162, 138, and 24 tonCO2e/year are for C3, C2, and C1, respectively.

Application of Copper Oxide Nanofluid and Phase Change Material on the Performance of Hybrid Photovoltaic–Thermal (PVT) System

The objective of the study is to investigate the thermal, electrical, and exergetic performance of a hybrid photovoltaic–thermal (PVT) system under the influence of copper oxide (CuO) nanofluid and phase change material (Vaseline (petroleum jelly)) as a heat storage medium. A mathematical model was developed with the help of various energy-balance equations over the layers of the hybrid system. The performance evaluation of the PVT system was performed using pure water, CuO-water nanofluid (0.2 and 0.4% weight fractions), and CuO-water nanofluid 0.4% weight fraction with Vaseline as a phase change material. The results of the overall analysis show that the performance of the PVT system is better using CuO-water nanofluid (0.4% wt. fraction) with PCM as compared to the water-cooled PVT system and CuO-water nanofluid. The results obtained from the study show indicate that the cell temperature of PVT was reduced by 4.45% using nanofluid cooling with PCM compared to a water-cooled PVT system. Moreover, the thermal, electrical, and overall efficiencies improved by 6.9%, 4.85%, and 7.24%, respectively, using 0.4% wt. fraction of CuO-water nanofluid with PCM as compared to PVT water-cooled systems. The performance of the PVT system was also investigated by changing the mass flow rate (MFR). The increase in mass flow rate (MFR) from 0.05 kg/s to 0.2 kg/s tends to enhance the electrical and overall efficiencies from 12.89% to 16.32% and 67.67% to 76.34%, respectively, using 0.4% wt. fraction of CuO-PCM as fluid.

The solar end game: bibliometric analysis, research and development evolution, and patent activity of hybrid photovoltaic/thermal-phase change material.

Solar photovoltaic-thermal hybrid with phase change material (PVT-PCM) emerges as an intelligent game changer to stimulate the clean, reliable, and affordable renewable energy technology. This PVT-PCM technology can be manipulated into generating both electricity and thermal energy that feature its practicality for residential and industrial applications. Hybridized of PCM into PVT design adds value to existing architecture with its capability to store excess heat that can be used during insufficient solar irradiation. Present work gives overview of the PVT-PCM system on technology innovation toward commercialization (viz, solar end game) subjected to bibliometric analysis, research and development evolution, and patent activity. A consolidation of these review articles was decluttered to focus on the performance and efficiency of PVT-PCM technology based on the fact that commercialization is ready once the technology is completed and qualified (at technology readiness level, TRL: 8). Economic review was conducted to understand the feasibility of the existing solar technologies and how it affects the PVT-PCM market price. Based on the contemporary findings, promising performance of PVT-PCM technology has underpinned its feasibility and technology readiness. China has predominant local and international framework and expected to be the PVT-PCM technology trendsetter in the next years through its strong international collaborative projects and pioneer in PVT-PCM patent filing. This present work underscores the solar end-game strategy and recommendation to create a path forward to achieve clean energy transition. Though, as to the date of submission of this article, no industry has found to manufacture/sell this hybrid technology in the market.

Energy and stress analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic thermal module

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems are widely used for meeting domestic electricity requirements because of their simple and cost-effective operation. It is well known that the electrical efficiency of PV panels is abruptly disturbed by cell temperature which depends upon several factors, including ambient temperature. In this study, the increased electrical efficiency of a PV module has been demonstrated by integrating a water storage tank at the backside of the PV module turning the simple PV module into hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) module. The water tank acts as the reservoir and provides water flow at the backside of the PV module and the temperature difference between water and cell causes the heat exchange between the back surface of the PV panel and water, resulting in the lowering of the PV module cell temperature. This hybrid design has resulted in a 19% increment in the electrical efficiency of the PV panel. The system is designed to store hot water at 40 °C. In addition, a PVT thermal efficiency of 36.5% is also achieved which can be used to meet hot water domestic applications. The structural analysis of the system design through ANSYS® is also carried out to determine the effects of water pressure on the tank and it has been found that the design is safe and secure.

Hybrid PVT Active Two Compartment Solar Still for improving performance of Solar PV and Enhance the productivity of Solar still

ABSTRACT The current world requirement for electricity and freshwater is increasing daily. Innovative hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar still can yield more distilled water and solar PV power. In this study, a hybrid PV/T solar still method is established through active condensation aimed at improving the efficiency of the solar PV modules with the support of rehashed edible corn oil that acts as a coolant to reduce the temperature. This work has been carried out on a polycrystalline solar panel with a backside cooling storage tank, and the rehashed edible corn oil filled in the backside storage tank acts as a coolant. A two-compartment solar still tank was constructed. The first compartment consists of waste metals, waste copper, nickel–chromium (NiCr heater) lead, and edible oil collected from the backside of the PV storage tank. The second compartment consists of waste metals, copper, NiCr lead, and saline water. Also, each container has one blower that operates at every particular time interval. In this hybrid PV/T method, the efficiency of the solar PV is improved by using rehashed edible oil that acts as a phase change material and the thermal efficiency of the still tank is enhanced by using the two-compartment technique, which is a technique to increase the condensation and evaporation and to correspondingly enhance the production of the distilled water. The modified hybrid PV/T active solar still improves the performance of the solar PV and enhances the productivity. The hybrid PV/T energetic solar still showed an improved solar PV efficiency of 11.7% and an enhanced still thermal efficiency of 18.01%.

Numerical performance investigation of a photovoltaic-thermal hybrid collector-evaporator with different tube configurations for heat pumps

Surface temperature build-up due to the continuous conversion of incident sunlight to heat deteriorates the power output, efficiency, and life of photovoltaic panels. Photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) systems provide a potential solution to avoid excessive heating of PV panels, simultaneously providing useful heat energy. A heat extraction unit is attached to the PV panel in PV-T systems that extract and convert the waste heat into useful heat. Therefore, design and material selection are keys to better performance in the system-level approach. Additionally, it is a cumbersome task dealing with refrigerant-based heat and fluid flow interactions in a system-level approach. With this in perspective, this paper analyzes different materials and flow configurations of PV-T systems. A transient, three-dimensional turbulence solver coupled with heat transfer through solids and liquids physics is modeled using COMSOL Multiphysics software. R-32 refrigerant acts as the heat transfer fluid in the system loop. The conservation equations are discretized using the finite element method. The present study involves two different plate materials (aluminum and copper) and three flow configurations (serpentine, roll-bond, and spiral) with and without absorber plates. A total of eight different configurations are being investigated here. The obtained results suggest that with the absorber plate, the performance increases significantly with a PV panel temperature decrease of 4–5 K, and the outlet fluid temperature increase by 2–8 K. It was observed that the performance difference between copper and aluminum plate is minimal (2%). Roll-bond flow configuration has scope for further research since it is more efficient than others because of the larger contact area for heat transfer.

Review of recent research on photovoltaic thermal solar collectors

Photovoltaic (PV) technology can be categorized as a mature technology but its performance with its elevating temperature has a negative effect and opens a new area of research which led to the introduction of photovoltaic thermal collector (PVTC) systems. PVTC systems integrate PV modules and solar thermal collectors in a single unit to derive energies from uninterruptible solar sources. This review article is limited to the design and development of the heat exchangers used in typical air and water-based PVTC system. Heat exchangers are used to improve the heat transfer from the back surface of the PV module, thereby improving its overall efficiency. The review shows that for air-based PVTC, the electrical efficiency with various types of heat exchangers lies in the range of 4–24%, whereas for water-based PVTC is 5.1–15.8%. The maximum thermal efficiency achieved for the water-based system is observed to be 72% against the 87% for the air-based system indicating that a significant approach has been made in the air-based system with the novel concept of the heat exchangers as compared to the water-based system. At the end of the paper, some future recommendations are also commented on to make the PVTC system more viable.

Thermal and fluid dynamic optimization of a CPV-T receiver for solar co-generation applications: Numerical modelling and experimental validation

Solar co-generation, i.e., the generation of electricity and heat in a single device by concentrating the sunbeams, has the potential to significantly increase the overall system performance. The main challenge is related to the cooling of solar cells. In order to do so, it is essential to reduce the thermal resistance between the cell and heat transfer fluid. This paper features the optimization procedure of a low-cost custom concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPV-T) receiver for a parabolic trough collector using silicon solar cells. A finite volume model for the thermal process has been developed. Hence, a fluid dynamic thermal simulation of the receiver is presented. The optimized heat sink tube geometries have been manufactured and tested in a lab environment, allowing for a comparison between modelling and experimental test results. Three possible heat sink geometries have been designed and compared regarding their overall heat transfer coefficient with respect to the non-dimensional pumping power, i.e. the ratio between the overall transferred heat and the energy required for pumping. The overall heat transfer coefficient for a finned heat sink has been increased up to 60% with respect to a baseline case without fins under similar conditions.

Electrical and thermal performance enhancement of a photovoltaic thermal hybrid system with a novel inner plate-finned collective cooling with different nanofluids

ABSTRACT In the present study, an experimental and mathematical analysis was performed in a novel nanofluid-based collective cooling consisting of inner-plate heat fins in order to explore a photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) system efficiency for Al2O3, TiO2, and CuO-based nanofluids. The electrical efficiency increase, temperature decrease in the panel surface, thermal efficiency increase, and heat transfer performance of Al2O3-water, TiO2-water and CuO-water nanofluids which were prepared in three different ratios (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%, in mass) and constant fluid flow rates were investigated. The highest electrical efficiency increase was observed in the 0.2% nanofluid Al2O3-water, at amount of 1.467% that correspond to 5.49% increase rate. The highest panel temperature drops were observed at the rate of 0.2% nanoparticles of Al2O3-water, TiO2-water, and CuO-water. The highest thermal efficiency was observed in the Al2O3-water nanofluid with 0.2% nanoparticles as the amount of 49.59% in average. For 0.2% nanofluid cooling, the averages of panel temperature drops were 13.28 ºC, 11.64 ºC, 11.06 ºC, and 9.14 ºC for TiO2-water, Al2O3-water, CuO-water nanofluid cooled panels, and water-cooled panel, respectively. Finally, appropriate amount of nanofluid cooling not exceeded 0.4% can be recommended in practical application for its benefits on improving the efficiency of system.

Modelling and performances assessment of a nanofluids-based PV/T hybrid collector

ABSTRACT An efficient option to transform solar radiation into electrical and heat energies simultaneously is the utilization of hybrid photovoltaic thermal solar collectors (PV/T). A temperature decrease in the photovoltaic cells in the PV/T manifold can be achieved using nanofluids. In the present work, a finite difference numerical model of nanofluid-based PV/T collectors, which fits the literature’s experimental results, is developed to evaluate the electrical and thermal outputs. Two different analyses have been performed: in the first group. silver, copper, and iron nanoparticles are dispersed in water, while in the second group, ethylene glycol (EG) and thermal oil (THO) are used as base fluids, where nanoparticles of silver are dispersed. To evaluate how the nanofluid’s volume fraction and the mass flow rate affect the PV/T thermal and electrical outputs, further analyses have been carried out. The results deduced that dispersing a 2% volume fraction of silver, copper, and iron nanoparticles in water allows for achieving an increase in thermal power and electrical power in comparison with pure water. The thermal and electrical outputs of a PV/T collector using a mixture of ethylene glycol (EG), or thermal oil (THO), as base fluid with silver nanoparticles, 87.93 and 60.02 W for silver/EG, and 55.05 and 59.02 W for silver/THO, which are lesser than 206.5 and 63.63 W achieved with the couple silver/water. Finally, silver/water with a 2.0% of volume fraction and mass flow rate of 3.0 × 10–3 kg/s resulted in the most effective mixture of nanofluid.

Performance enhancement of packed bed thermal energy storage system for solar cogeneration of power and potable water production

Solar integrated combined organic ranking cycle and multi-stage desalination with packed bed thermal energy storage is proposed, and thermo-economic-environmentally analyzed for residential areas to increase the self-sustainability. The designed system has produced power and potable water of 118.51 kWe and 74.03 kg/day without energy storage. Significantly, Marble and Quartzite are the best and worst materials from the collected material, it is identified by the proposed novel combination of ITARA-TOPSIS-MODM method in Matlab. Especially, the performance of the energy storage is analyzed in Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium (LTNE) – Ansys 18.1 domain. The thin thermocline was obtained for the smallest diameter (d = 0.03m) of filler material with the lowest porosity (ε ≤ 0.3). The Stanton Number (St), Porosity (ε), and Radius (D/r) are found to be the most influential term for the storage process among eight non-dimensional parameters. The overall exergy destruction rate is found to be 37.80 kW, which is nearly 41.17% of irreversibility that occurred in the trough collector as a primary component of exergy wasting. Moreover, the energetic and exergetic efficiency of the storage adopted combined system was found as 79.38% and 34.82%, nearly 23.91% and 6.96% higher than without an energy storage system. The adoption of energy storage increased power output to 222.30 kWe, and potable water production to 202.51 kg/day, which is nearly 1.5 and 2.73 times more than the conventional system. Furthermore, the energy storage has drastically reduced the payback period from 4.61 years to 2.31 years at the cost of power, and potable water is Rs.6.54/kWe and Rs.4/litre. Finally, the annual reduction of the CO2 pollutant was found as 92.95 metric tons, and the corresponding annual and lifetime social cost is found as Rs.6.06 Lakhs and Rs.90.64 Lakhs. The designed small-sized combined system may be suitable for hospitals, institutional buildings, hotels, and offices.

Multi-aspect investigation and multi-criteria optimization of a novel solar-geothermal-based polygeneration system using flat plate and concentrated photovoltaic thermal solar collectors

This study investigates different aspects of an innovative multi-heat recovery-based solar-geothermal polygeneration system, acclaiming the exergetic, exergoeconomic, and energetic concepts. Principally, using two renewable energy sources, the whole framework of the system encompasses Concentrated PhotoVoltaic Thermal (CPVT) solar collectors, Flat Plate Solar Collectors (FPSCs), geothermal wells, an Ejector Refrigeration Cycle (ERC) Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) integrated with a Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC), heating production units, an air dryer, and an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit. Afterward, the sensitivity analysis utilized for the parametric study makes a multi-aspects optimization in diverse scenarios in which NSGA-II, as well as, fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKOR decision makings, are handled to designate the optimal solution. The suggested system has professionally been devised thanks to the characteristic of maximum use of energy of the streams circulated. Hence, crucial variables evaluated are more influenced by the variation in the geothermal heater pinch point temperature gradient. Also, in the optimization scenario based on unit cost of products / exergy efficiency, the TOPSIS selects the optimal objectives of 4.29%/1.13 $/GJ, while the VIKOR selects 4.06%/1.07 $/GJ, respectively.

Recent Trends in Applications of Nanofluids for Effective Utilization of Solar Energy

:Renewable-energy sources have been explored recently by scientists to fulfill the global energy demand. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2040, wind and solar power will be the star performers for energy conservation. The annual potential energy received from the sun ranges from 1,575 to 49,800 exajoules (EJ). However, this energy is not being utilized to its potential. Recently, researchers have proven that nanofluids can be used as a working fluid replacing the conventional working fluid for solar collectors and other heat exchange operations. The selection of the nanofluid is not only based on the size and shape of nanoparticles but the pH value and stability of nanofluids are also important parameters.:This review paper is mainly focused on the recent trends in nanofluids applications for the capture, conservation, and utilization of solar energy. The present paper reviews the detailed analysis of various forces affecting the nanofluid system and also highlights the important aspects to reduce the frictional energy losses, exergy destruction, entropy generation, effect of the flow properties, and thermo-physical properties of the nanofluids, and other reasons for wastage of the exergy. This study also compares the performance of the direct absorption solar panel, flat plate solar panel, parabolic solar collector, photovoltaic thermal solar collector, linear Fresnel solar collector, solar dish, and evacuated type solar collector.:Among these solar collectors, direct absorption solar collectors, flat plate solar collectors, photovoltaic solar collectors, and evacuated type solar collectors are more commonly used solar collectors; thus, the exergy and energy analyses of these collectors are important for their design and application. Stability issues and agglomeration problems are still some major concerns involved in the application of nanofluids. However, the use of nanofluid increases the performance of the solar collector compared to the base fluid as a working fluid. This paper also highlights the recent trends in the application of nanofluids in solar collectors.

Performance assessment of double pass photovoltaic/thermal solar air collector using bifacial PV with CPC and mirror reflector under Malaysian climate

The performance of photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) type solar collectors can be optimised with the use of bifacial photovoltaic panel since it can utilise the absorbed incident solar irradiance from its front and rear surface. However, its potential is highly determined by the amount of the reflected solar irradiance onto the rear surface of the panel. In this research, we assessed the potential of a novel double pass photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar air collector using semi-transparent bifacial PV panel with compound parabolic concentrator and mirror reflector in Malaysia. The use of CPC and reflector was introduced to increase the amount of reflected light and hence increasing the efficiency of the collector. A mathematical model was developed, and validated o predict the performance of the solar collector. Using the validated mathematical model, the optimum mass flow rate of the bifacial PV/T collector with CPC and mirror reflector was found at 0.0589 kg/s. At this flow rate, when operated under the hot climate of Malaysia, the temperature output of as high as 51 °C is achievable implying its potential as a preheated air to regenerate desiccant materials in solar assisted cooling system and for agriculture drying application. Also, when compared with the bifacial PV/T solar collector without the CPC, the total energy useful was found almost 40% higher.